Comparative accuracy of the figure-of-eight walk test and 10-meter walk test in classifying walking abilities in stroke survivors.

BACKGROUND

Accurate assessment of walking abilities in stroke survivors is essential for designing effective rehabilitation strategies. Although the Figure-of-Eight Walk Test (F8WT) and the 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) are widely used to evaluate different aspects of gait, their comparative effectiveness for classifying individuals as household or community has not been thoroughly investigated.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to compare the accuracy of the F8WT and 10MWT in distinguishing between household and community walking abilities among stroke survivors.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 62 stroke survivors, categorized as either household or community walkers based on their Functional Walking Category. Participants underwent both the F8WT and 10MWT, with their performances evaluated through receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to assess each test's accuracy in classifying walking abilities.

RESULTS

Both the F8WT and 10MWT demonstrated high accuracy in distinguishing between household and community walkers, with areas under the curve of 0.988 and 0.994, respectively. The F8WT identified a cutoff time of <16.75 s, while the 10MWT established a cutoff speed of ≥0.47 m/s for community walkers. No significant difference was found in the tests' effectiveness for classification purposes.

CONCLUSIONS

The F8WT and 10MWT are equally effective in classifying walking abilities among stroke survivors. Their high accuracy supports the use of either test in clinical settings, depending on specific assessment needs and environmental constraints. This study enhances our understanding of these tests' applicability in stroke rehabilitation, offering valuable insights for clinicians in selecting appropriate assessment tools.